REPORT SCAM TEXTS TO WATCHDOG . . .

REPORT spam texts to your mobile company by forwarding the text to ‘ 7726’ free of charge.

If you have an iPhone, hold your finger on the message until a menu pops up.

Select ‘ more’ and then look for the blue arrow in the bottom right hand side of your screen.

Then enter the number 7726 and click send.

You can also block the number so you do not receive any more messages.

There’s a blue circle with an ‘i’ in it for information on the top right of the screen, within the nuisance message. Tap this, then the grey arrow in the top right — the list of options will include the choice to ‘block this caller’.

You can also report text messages online to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico. org. uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.

The watchdog will ask you a series of questions such as what the text was about, whether you had a previous relationship with the firm that contacted you, and if the message worried you.

You do not have to answer all the questions, but the more detail you can give the better. You can also report nuisance calls this way.

However, scammers typically use multiple numbers so it’s difficult to stop all spam texts from getting through.

Many junk texts include an option to reply ‘ STOP’ to prevent further messages. If you do so the company is legally required to stop sending marketing texts.

But only do this if you are sure the message is from a legitimate company, such as your mobile provider or another firm you have dealt with in the past.

If you are in any doubt, ignore it. Replying just confirms to the firm that your phone is active and they may hound you all the more or sell your number on to other crooks.

Watch out for messages that appear to come from your bank or the taxman.

Fraudsters are able to make it appear as though their text messages have been sent from a legitimate company.

These spoof messages are often very convincing because they appear in the same thread as other genuine texts.

To be safe, never click on any link or call a number given to you in an unexpected text message — even if it claims your account has been suspended or blocked.

If you have any concerns call the phone number on the back of your bank card or statement. HM Revenue & Customs says it will never contact taxpayers about refunds or request personal details by text message.

It advises people to forward any suspicious messages to 60599 (there may be a small charge if you do not have free text messages as part of your contract).